Royalties are a vital income stream for songwriters and composers, yet many music creators still miss out on the money they’re owed. This session will provide an industry perspective on royalties and outline what you need to know to ensure you receive what’s due. It will also help shape the topics for this year’s Summit, taking place during Ivors Week on Tuesday, 19 May.
Understand how to register your works correctly, how different royalty streams are collected across the UK, Ireland, and the US, and how to use the right tools to track and safeguard your earnings internationally.
Whether you’re new to the process or looking to deepen your knowledge, this session will equip you with practical insights to ensure you’re paid accurately and fairly for your music.
Topics we’ll cover
- The roles of UK and international performing rights organisations.
- What do songwriters and composers need to know when it comes to UK and international royalties.
- Boosting income from live performance, sync and digital platforms
- Tools and tactics for monitoring royalty data and resolving discrepancies
Our panellists
- Roberto Neri, CEO of The Ivors Academy
Roberto Neri is Chief Executive Officer of The Ivors Academy. He has over 25 years’ experience in senior leadership roles across the global music industry. Before joining The Ivors Academy, Roberto was CEO of the publishing arm of Believe. His career includes senior roles at Downtown Music, Eagle-i Music and Bug Music. Roberto was previously Chair of the MPA, Board Director of PRS-MCPS and PPL PRS, and continues to serve on the UK Music Board. He is also a Trustee of the charity Music For My Mind.
- Indi Chawla, Head of International Relations at Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC)
Indi Chawla is Head of International Relations at The MLC, a U.S. nonprofit established under the Music Modernization Act which revolutionised the way songwriters get paid from streaming and download services in the U.S.
Based in London, she works with international rightsholders, including publishers and songwriters to maximise global royalty collections. With over 30 years’ experience, Indi has held senior roles across major and independent publishers, including a decade leading Warner Chappell’s Global Copyright Team and shaping its rights management systems.
A former ICE consultant, she is a global advocate for creator education and recognition, and a 2024 Music Week Women in Music Roll of Honour honouree.
- Seán Donegan, Chief Commercial Officer at Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO)
Seán Donegan is senior commercial leader with accountancy (Chartered Global Management Accountant™), strategy (Strategic Management, Innovation) and law (Commercial Contracts) qualifications, specialising in music rights licensing, with extensive experience working for and with collective management organisations, music publishers and record labels.
As Chief Commercial Officer at Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO), he develops and executes IMRO’s commercial strategy, including negotiating music licences with broadcasters, music streaming services, multinational video-on-demand services, concert promoters and public premises.
He also leads IMRO's international activities, representing IMRO at cross-industry forums and partnering with like-minded companies worldwide to secure royalties for IMRO members in the most competitive and efficient ways.
- Jataneel Banerjee, Senior Relationship Manager (Asia) at PRS for Music
Jataneel is responsible for representing the interests of PRS for Music’s members predominantly of Asian origin and providing business support to writers and music publishers. He also works to develop PRS for Music’s relationships with the wider niche music sector in the UK with the aim of maximising revenues for writers and music publishers.
Before joining PRS for Music, Jataneel worked in music publishing at First Name Music, UK and has experience in copyright, royalties, licensing and business affairs. He holds a postgraduate degree in music composition from Royal College of Music, London. Outside of PRS work, Jataneel is the Artistic Director of Grand Philharmonic Orchestra and a practising composer.
Tickets
- Free for Core and Professional members
- Discovery members can book for just £6.99 + VAT
Become a free Discovery member or explore all membership options.
Questions?
Contact events@ivorsacademy.com
